Research Projects and Summer Schools

John Cabot University’s MA program in International Affairs hosts, co-hosts or organizes a series of research projects and summer institutes that MA students may participate in as part of their coursework. These projects are directed or co-directed by John Cabot University faculty and engage with major international centers of policymaking in Rome and Italy, including United Nations agencies, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leading international think tanks and global university institutes.

For the Summer of 2023, students may apply to the following summer programs:    

UNICRI Summer School on Migration and Human Rights

The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in collaboration with John Cabot University, organizes an annual Summer School on Migration and Human Rights at John Cabot University in Rome (currently in its eighth edition). The Summer School is a one-week course shedding light on current issues related to international migration. Participants will be guided into the understanding of a variety of concepts, including, International migration, trafficking, and asylum laws, Internally displaced persons, Irregular migration, issues of human rights and security and the relationship between migration, development and integration.  

The Summer School offers professional, legal, social, scientific, and academic perspectives through theoretical lectures, group discussions, dynamic case studies, individual readings, and practical exercises. The faculty of the Summer School is composed of leading scholars and academics from John Cabot and other universities, representatives of the United Nations system, international human rights bodies, and civil society.

Rome Summer Seminars on Religion and Global Politics

The Rome Summer Seminars is a two-week program for graduate students, scholars and practitioners working at the crossroads of religion and global politics which is designed to draw on the unique religious and geopolitical resources of the city of Rome. The Seminars begin with a 10-day writing workshop for students and culminate in a 2-day policy dialogue for senior scholars and practitioners cosponsored by ISPI and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Students attending the workshop will have the possibility to participate in the policy dialogue as observers. 

The Seminars aspire to become a hub for innovative reflection on religion and politics and to form a new network of scholars and leaders equipped with the religious knowledge, academic training and policy expertise to effectively engage major policy debates on religion and global affairs. Students will explore key themes emerging in the field of religion and global politics and meet with religious leaders, scholars and policy-makers from across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

TOChina Summer School

The TOChina Summer School is a two week advanced training program in the politics, political economy and foreign policy of contemporary China developed in partnership with the TOChina Hub at the University of Turin and John Cabot University. The essence of the Summer School lies in welcoming emerging China hands and China-literate practitioners from all over the world to two of Italy's most dynamic cities, Turin and Rome, whilst being exposed to valuable insights and cutting-edge research agendas by some of the world's most accomplished scholars on contemporary China. ‍The 17th edition of the program will be held in Turin and Rome from Monday June 26 to Friday July 7, 2023.

Thanks to the partnership between John Cabot University and the TOChina Hub, up to 10 qualified JCU students will be selected to participate in the program and will get a full scholarship that will cover the tuition fees, accommodation in Turin and, partially, meals. JCU students will be lodged in double en-suite rooms at a student hall of the University of Turin, with the possibility of staying in a JCU residence in Rome (depending on availability), and one meal per day will be provided in both cities. All students interested in being considered for the program should apply directly through the application form at the TOChina website.